Florida 'hall' accepting nominations

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that nominations are being accepted for candidates to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2009. The deadline for submitting nominations is Sept. 1, 2008.

“The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame was created to honor Florida’s agricultural pioneers and leaders,” Bronson said. “I hope everyone will take a moment to consider who should be nominated this year for the highest honor bestowed by the agricultural community.”

Previous inductees have come from all walks of life: Agricultural teachers, researchers, farmers, ranchers and government leaders. Their lives and achievements are commemorated in a display on permanent exhibit in the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation building at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. A total of 124 people have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since 1980.

Anyone can submit a nomination on behalf of a candidate for the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. However, all nomination forms must be completed as specified in the instructions.

The nominees, chosen by an independent panel of judges, will be announced later this year. The induction ceremony will take place Feb. 9, 2009, during the 31st annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet and awards ceremony at the Florida State Fair.

Nomination forms may be requested by calling (813) 628-4551, or by writing: Chairman, Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation, 4508 Oak Fair Boulevard, Suite 290, Tampa, Fla. 33610. The fax number for nomination forms is (813) 620-4008. Nomination forms are also available on the Web at www.flaghalloffame.com.